Research
Leading the field in Racing Chemistry Research
RASL maintains an active and highly productive research section which aims
to keep us at the forefront of racing chemistry to combat an industry always
looking for the next “undetectable” doping agent.
In addition to our research focussed on traditional doping agents in racing,
the Biological Research Unit (BRU) was established at RASL in 2012 with
funding from the State Government of Victoria to target the new
generation of performance enhancing proteins and peptides.
This ongoing commitment to R&D has put RASL at the forefront of drug
testing laboratories not just in Australia – but worldwide; due to our
demonstrated capability to respond to new and emerging threats in a timely
and commercial manner, and conduct research at a peer reviewed
publication level, making us a bench-mark in drug testing innovation.
Biological Research Unit (BRU):
Established to combat new generation doping
The Victorian Governments’ decision to fund the establishment of the BRU
has resulted in pioneering work into detection of the new generation
performance enhancing proteins and peptides, and is now expanding into
gene doping and the potential for other forms of genetic manipulation.
Achievements include:
- Successfully developing practical testing solutions to new
doping agents - Routine screening for performance enhancing peptides in all
race-day samples - Only racing laboratory in Australia with a NATA accredited
method for the confirmation of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO)
in equine and canine samples - Development of NATA accredited methods for testing a broad
range of Drugs of Abuse in human hair - Three publications in scientific journals on detection of
performance enhancing peptides.
Investigative/Unknown Compound Testing
RASL also carries out analytical work for Department of Immigration and Border Protection on materials discovered during investigations
or suspected of being illegally imported into Australia. This gives RASL a unique opportunity to learn what drugs are entering the country,
thereby adjusting our drug screening procedures accordingly. This service is also used extensively by the Racing Industry for items seized
during stable inspections and by other companies or individuals requiring identification of unknown materials.
RASL is accredited for investigative testing by NATA, and was the first laboratory in Australia to achieve this new accreditation.
